A SQUAD of about 160 umpires is gearing up to take control of football matches across the region, starting this weekend with the Loddon Valley league.
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The Bendigo Umpires Association has another busy year ahead of it, officiating games in the Bendigo, Loddon Valley, North Central, Bendigo Junior and Bendigo Youth Girls competitions.
The BUA is always on the look out for new members and could do with at least another 20 to 30.
While umpiring has always been seen as a way of retired players being able to stay involved in the game once their playing days are over, BUA vice-chairman Paula Shay says runners could also derive plenty of benefit out of taking it up during the winter months.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for people who are athletes and love to run to get involved in umpiring,” Shay said this week.
“When you look at AFL level and particularly the boundary umpires, nearly all of them are professional runners.
“So we’re really keen to talk to those people who may love to run during the winter... they can get paid to run with umpiring.”
The pathway that the BUA can offer umpires was evident last weekend when Bendigo teenager John Varker was one of the goal umpires for the AFL Women’s grand final between Brisbane and Adelaide.
“We’ve got a great history with our pathway and John Varker is the latest one. He was with the BUA two years ago, spent last year on the VFL development squad and there he was last week goal umpiring the AFLW grand final,” Shay said.
The BUA has been named AFL Victoria’s umpiring group of the year two of the past three seasons, and has formed a partnership this year with the Northern District Football Umpires Association.
The new partnership announced in February will allow NDFUA members to be in line to also officiate in BUA competitions.
The BUA trains two times a week at Weeroona Oval on a Tuesday and Thursday from 5.30pm, and also has satellite training squads at Charlton and Kerang.
“We’ve got about 160 umpires registered for the start of the season,” Shay said.
“We’re about 20 to 30 umpires short at the moment, so we’d certainly like to hear from anyone who would be interested in joining and getting involved.”
Anyone interested in joining the BUA can contact Sharon McColl on 0418 569 394 or message the association through its Facebook Page.
Among the initiatives this year by the BUA is the launch of a new Youtube channel, which will feature coaching sessions.